Let the count go only so far
Today I spoke to someone who lost his wife. His circumstances were very different and his approach different too but the hurt, the loneliness and the new life quite similar. He took my by the elbow and squeezed saying “don’t let the count get to 10 Mark - never give up. It might get to 7 or 8 but you’ll always having the beating of it. Never let it beat you”.
I like this analogy. I like it because it allows me be hurt and go down. It allows me to fail. But, importantly, it makes sure I fight. Never out for the count. Always with reserves. And I feel that way - I feel as though all these experiences and all this growth have built my inner strength to a point that I can’t and won’t be knocked out. There’s just too much to fight for.